Inside Richard Branson's Necker Island

Paradise: Sir Richard Branson has spent two years refurbishing the Great House on Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands

Inside Richard Branson's Necker Island: Beautiful Caribbean Escape Restored To Its Former Glory After Devastating Fire Caused By Lightning Strike (But It Will Still Set You Back £40,000 A Night) -- Daily Mail

* Necker Island's Great House burned down in 2011 after an apparent lightning strike
* But two years later, Sir Richard Branson has announced the extensive restructure is almost finished
* The new Great House boasts a 1,500 square feet master bedroom and eight guests rooms
* Each room comes with a balcony, king-size bed and en-suite bathroom
* The paradise island will be available to rent again from September and guests

Set in the Caribbean, Richard Branson's holiday home Necker Island is a by-word for luxury and has played host to a vast array of A-list celebrities and royalty.

But the 74-acre paradise was severely damaged in a 2011 fire that devastated the island's Great House.

Two years later, Branson has announced the extensive restructure of the house is almost complete and will soon be available for exclusive hire once again - for a staggering £40,000 per night.

Read more ....

My Comment: Only £40,000 a night?

Inside A $27Million Tudor Mansion In Silicon Valley

Mansion: The Morgan Estate was built in 1914 by Percy Morgan who moved from England to California

Inside The $27Million Tudor Mansion In Silicon Valley That Has Its Own Hidden Secret Room To Hold Prohibition Parties -- Daily Mail

A secret drinking den harkening back to the time Prohibition and the dark half-timbering that is a trademark of old English architecture shows the clash of cultures and eras in a California home that just went on the market.

A stunning Tudor mansion is up for sale and the building details that show its age are the ones that help it truly stand apart from the other luxurious homes in Palo Alto, California, just outside of San Francisco.

The asking price also puts it in a far higher league than many others, as it is on the market for $27,000,000.

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My Comment: Yup .... no expense was spared.

Bruce Willis Puts His Beverly Hills Estate On The Market For A $22Million

An impressive location: The huge home is located near the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel Bye Bye Beverly Hills!

Bruce Willis Puts Huge Estate On The Market For An Eye-Watering $22Million -- Daily Mail

Bruce Willis may be looking to downsize as he has listed his huge Beverly Hills estate for $22million. The property, which is located near the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel, is in a Spanish-style and was built in 1928.

The Die Hard star would make a killing if the mansion sells at the asking price.

Bruce purchased the 10,379 square foot home for $9million back in June 2004. The estate boasts 11 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, along with a tennis court, swimming pool and stone fountain.

It is one of two properties in Los Angeles that Bruce currently owns.

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My Comment: I love the high walls around the estate .... this is defintely a home for someone who values privacy.

Alex Rodriguez's Miami Mansion Sells For $30 Million

Zillow

Alex Rodriguez Sells Miami Mansion for $30 Million -- OMG!

Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez may be considered one of the game’s greatest players, but when it came to selling his Miami mega-mansion, he was striking out ... until now.

After buying the waterfront lot in 2010 for $7.4 million and having the 10-bedroom home custom built, A-Rod put the place on the market in August just a year after taking possession of it.

Asking price? A cool $38 million.

Then, in January, the New York Yankees third baseman took the stunning contemporary pad off the market.

Guess no one wanted to shell out the hefty purchase price?

Now, however, A-Rod's scored a home run and sold the place for $30 million.

Sure, it's $8 million under his one-time asking price, but according to various reports, the athlete spent somewhere between $7.6 million and $18 million to build the home, which means he still netted him some sort of profit even after selling at the "discounted" price.

And the new owner has plenty of luxury to look forward to.

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My Comment: If cubes are your thing .... this is the perfect house for you.

Sting Opens Doors Of His 16th Century Estate In Tuscany

Rock star home: Sting and his wife Trudie Styler have opened the doors of their Tuscany estate to weddings and private parties

Sting Opens Doors Of His 16th Century Estate In Tuscany For Weddings And Parties . . . But You'll Need A Rock Star Budget To Afford It! -- Daily Mail

* Partygoers can enjoy large swimming pool, huge chess board in the garden, homemade wine and honey and dine in the wine cellar
* Sting has installed a 10ft Buddha at the main house's chapel
* 'It's a lovely property so it is clear the place will be in demand'

Brides who dream of a glitzy rock star-style wedding venue need look no further for the perfect location.

Former Police singer Sting and his wife Trudie Styler have opened up their vast estate in Tuscany for weddings and private parties.

But Sting's loss of privacy comes at a price - his six cottages housing 50 guests will cost seven thousand euros (£6,000) a week each to rent.

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My Comment: Considering where the estate is located .... I suspect that the wine is fantastic.

A £250 Million Home In London

Central: The house is within easy walking distance of Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus 

 The £250MILLION Home: London House Set To Become UK's Most Expensive Property Ever Sold As It Is Put Up For Sale -- Daily Mail 

* 18 Carlton House Terrace said to be on sale on secret 'grey market'
* It is set to be the most valuable property ever sold in the UK
* Home near Trafalgar Square has more living space than a football pitch
* Believed to be owned by secretive Saudi royal who will not allow photos An end of terrace home in London is set to become the most expensive property ever sold in the UK after it went on the market for £250million.

The six-storey Grade I listed Regency mansion is a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace and boasts 50,000 sq ft of living space, making it one of the capital’s largest private homes.

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My Comment: The house (from the outside) does not look like something that is worth £250 million. But it is probably worth that much because of it's location. After-all .... the key to real estate is always location, location, and location .... and if that is the case, this property has it all.

Nepalese Embassy On London's 'Boulevard of Billionaires' Now On Sale

Nepalese Embassy On London's 'Boulevard Of Billionaires' Could Be Sold For £100m Sparking Anger Among Gurkhas -- Daily Mail 

* Run down embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens needs urgent repairs
* Nepal were given the embassy as a gift as a thank you to the Gurkhas in the British armed forces
* Anger among soldiers who regard the property as part of their history
* Nepal pay a nominal £1,000 a year rent for the 32,000square foot property

The Nepalese embassy on one of London's most exclusive streets could be sold for more than £100million - sparking anger among Gurkhas.

The exclusive property is situated in Kensington Palace Gardens in west London which is one of the world's most exclusive roads with homes rarely coming onto the open market.

The potential sale has sparked anger among the Nepalese in the UK and abroad, because of the close links between Britain and Nepal.

If the property is put up for sale, it is bound to spark interest from some of the world's richest people.

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 My Comment: The Gurkhas are right .... this is a part of their heritage that is now being sold off.

Black And White Photos Show The Truman-Era Reconstruction Of The White House

Gutted: When Harry Truman became president in 1945, he inherited a creaking White House that had not been seriously renovated since 1902, and structurally since it was rebuilt from a fire in 1817

This Old (White) House: Fascinating Black And White Photos Show The Truman-Era Reconstruction Of The White House After It Was Declared To Be In Danger Of Collapsing -- Daily Mail

Its history dates back to one of America’s founding fathers, when George Washington selected the location for the White House, and in the two centuries it’s been in existence, the People’s House has boarded every president save the Father of His Country.

But during the Great Depression and in the two world wars, the annual budget for repairing the White House was drastically cut and ideas of renovation pushed to the back burner, meaning that all but the most simple patch-ups were ignored.

During the Truman presidency, a near gut-renovation was deemed a necessity, after it was found that once-charming creaky wooden floors swayed when walked upon, the tubs were sinking into the floors below, and the building was in risk of collapsing.

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My Comment: These pics are so cool .... it definitely was a different time then.

19 American Castle Homes You Can Buy

For sale: This six bedroom home featuring 12 bathrooms, two pools and two exercise courts in Hillsborough, California is currently on the market for $38,500,000

Want To Live Like A King? The 19 American Castle Homes You Can Buy -- Daily Mail

As the saying goes a man's home is his castle but in this case, it really is true. A spellbinding collection of real-life castle homes from nine states across the U.S. have been uncovered with each fairy-tale pad currently listed for sale.

Ranging in price from $38.5million in Hillsborough, California to $787,000 in Lewisville, Texas, these 19 homes feature everything from multiple swimming pools, wine cellars, elevators and movie theatres.

Among the most boastful in luxury seen, The House of Josephine - gifted from a husband to his wife in 1920 - features 10 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms and 18 acres of green in sunny Lake Wales, Florida.

For those especially desiring the fortified, castle-like feel, a white stoned home in Oak Brook, Illinois offers 18-inch thick walls, a full-size elevator and 12 skylights.

Aside from the price, the gorgeous collection appears to offer something for everyone.

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My Comment: The Hillsborough 'castle' is beautiful. It's listing is here.

For Only $135 Million You Can Be President Bush's Next Door Next Door Neighbor

You Can Be Dubya's Neighbor (For Only $135 MILLION!) Dallas Mansion Next Ddoor To President Bush's House Is Up For Sale -- Daily Mail

* Current owner is sports tycoon Tom Hicks who bought property from original owners 16 years ago * Set in prestigious Preston Hollow estate area close to downtown Dallas

For a millionaire searching for proximity to power, a new real estate listing in Dallas has all of the extravagant qualities that they may be looking for.

The mansion is situated close to the house of former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods of Dallas, Texas.

Though the Bushes may be a draw, don't expect to chat across the yard as the vast estate is set on 25 acres of land - and on sale for $135million.

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My Comment: If you want privacy .... that is probably not the place for you.

California Mansion Sells For $117.5 Million

An estate in the Northern California community of Woodside has sold for $117.5 million. (Google Maps)

A California Mansion Quietly Sold For A Record-Breaking $117.5 Million -- Business Insider

A Woodside, California home quietly traded hands last November for the staggering price of $117.5 million dollars, according to SF Luxe. That makes it the most expensive residence ever sold in the California, and possibly the second-most expensive private real estate deal in the United States ever.

The mansion is roughly 9,000 square feet, and was designed by Virginia-based architect Allan Greenberg. It has a pool, nine-acres of property, and is surrounded by 360-degree views of the Woodside Mountains, according to SF Luxe.

Read more ....

More News On This Record Breaking Sale

Woodside Home Sells for $117,500,000 -- SFLuxe
Woodside Home Sells For California Record $117.5 Million -- CBS
Estate in Woodside, a Silicon Valley haven, sells for $117.5 million -- L.A. Times
Sale of $117.5 million mansion breaks California record -- New York Daily News
Is Softbank CEO the buyer of $117.5-million Silicon Valley estate? -- L.A. Times

The 23-Year-Old Squatter Who Moved Into Palatial $2.5MILLION Waterfront Mansion

Happier times: This is how the waterfront home looked back when it was still occupied by its rightful owners

Meet The 23-Year-Old Squatter Who Moved Into Palatial $2.5MILLION Waterfront Mansion - But There's Nothing Neighbors Or Police Can Do Aabout It -- Daily Mail

Andre Barbosa can safely say that he has one of the nicest homes on the block in Boca Raton, Florida. But the 23-year-old Brazilian national does not own or even rent the palatial $2.5million estate legally - he is a squatter.

Barbosa, originally from the neighboring Pompano Beach, moved into 580 Golden Harbour Drive in July Now he is threatening to use an obscure real estate law that allows people to claim a property as their own if they stay there for seven years.

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My Comment: A Brazilian national .... is this the Daily Mail's way of saying 'illegal immigrant'? As to the home itself .... it is a nice home .... nice to move in and now claim that it is yours while those who pay their mortgage every month must grin and bear it.

The 10 Most Crazy/Beautiful Celebrity Houses Of 2012

Dick Clark's inexplicably-Flintstones-esque house in Malibu hit the market in March asking $3.5 million.

The 10 Most Crazy/Beautiful Celebrity Houses of 2012 -- Curbed

It's the last week in December, when according to tradition we make up a bunch of awards and hand them out to all the best, worst, and shitshowiest of things that happened in Los Angeles real estate, architecture, and neighborhoods this year. These are your 2012 Curbed Awards.

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My Comment: A good and brief summary.

Judge Judy's Plush Manhattan Condo Is On The Market For $9Million

Million dollar view: When they purchased the property three years ago, Judy and her husband though the view was worth the $6.75 million the paid

Judge Judy's Plush Manhattan Pad Hits The Market For $9Million -- Daily Mail

She's best known for her no-nonsense court room demeanor, but maybe she should be equally revered for her interior design sense. Judge Judy's three bedroom New York apartment was just listed for $9 million.

She and her husband purchased the property three years ago for $6.75 million. And while people might associate her persona with biting commentary, the plush apartment is actually done with warm lighting and comforting, inviting colors.

At 3,000 square feet, the apartment features everything you could ever need including three bedrooms, a kitchen, two bathrooms, a jacuzzi, and plenty of storage space.

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My Comment: A so-so view of Central Park .... but what shocked me are the monthly fees .... $17,411 per month!!!!

Homes Of The World's Most Powerful Celebrities

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen

Earlier this year the NFL quarterback and his supermodel wife moved into a 22,000-square foot custom-built manse in the Brentwood neighborhood of LA. The new spread boasts eight bedrooms, a six-car garage, a lagoon-shaped swimming pool, an elevator, a weight room and a wine cellar. Brady also recently unloaded his NYC Time Warner Center penthouse (pictured in previous slide) for $17.5 million to Green Mountain Coffee billionaire Robert Stiller and has his Boston, Mass. penthouse listed for $10.5 million as well.

Homes Of The World's Most Powerful Celebrities -- Forbes

There’s a certain kind of luxury real estate in Los Angeles that passes from celebrity to celebrity. Take the Beverly Hills estate that Ryan Seacrest is in escrow to buy for $37 million from Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi. The gated compound in Coldwater Canyon includes a 9,200-square-foot main house, plus three guest houses, a swimming pool and koi ponds. Perhaps its most valuable amenity: privacy.

L.A. has ordinances that prevent new construction of high walls and hedges, which means there’s a limited inventory of homes that can keep prying eyes at a distance. The glitterati tend to trade them among one another.

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My Comment: This story was posted by Forbes last year, but it is still apllicable today. Bottom line .... celebrities do know how to live well.

Karl Lagerfeld's Manhattan Condo Goes For $4.5 Million

Paying for the privilege: The monthly fee for property is over $7,000

A Home Fit For Chanel's Guru: The Sleek Manhattan Home Complete With Mannequins That Karl Lagerfeld Sold For $4.5m -- Daily Mail

* Chanel's creative director bought exclusive apartment in 2006
* Lagerfeld first tried to sell luxury pad for $6.5 million in 2011 but completed deal for $4.5 million just a few weeks ago

You wouldn't expect Karl Lagerfeld to have any difficulty selling a luxury apartment in one of the most sought-after residential areas in New York City.

But it took the fashion icon two years to get the 2,200-square-foot property in Gramercy Park off his hands.

The legendary Chanel designer also had to drop his asking price by $2 million to complete the sale.

Reports suggest that Lagerfeld never actually moved in.

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My Comment: Nothing special about the place .... he is lucky he got $4.5 million. But a monthly fee of $7,000. Shesshhh ....

Formula One Heiress Petra Ecclestone Wants To Unload Her London Mansion For $52 Million

Knight Frank

Ecclestone Is Supposedly Trying To Unload Her London Mansion For $52 Million -- Business Insider

Is this what sibling rivalry looks like when a few hundred million dollars are thrown into the mix?

Days after 28-year-old Formula One heiress Tamara Ecclestone was reported to have listed her London pad for $32 million, celebrity real estate blogger The Real Estalker reports that younger sister Petra has put her own London home on the market with a $52 million price tag.

Read more ....

Update: Petra (Ecclestone) Stunt Sells Up in London, Too -- The Real Estalker

Editor: The listing (with photos) is here.

Dallas Star Larry Hagman's Homes Are Up For Sale

Breathtaking: Larry Hagman's $5.2million Santa Monica beachfront penthouse was listed for sale on Sunday

Larry Hagman's Beachfront Condo Goes On The Market For $5.2m... As His Family Tries to Sell Their Sprawling Ojai Mansion As Well -- Daily Mail

He built his fortune over the past three decades as the love-to-hate JR. Ewing on the television show Dallas.

But after passing away last November after a year long battle with cancer, Larry Hagman's estates in Santa Monica and Ojai, California have been sitting unused.

And with his wife of 58 years, Maj Axelsson, suffering from Alzheimers, those homes have now been posted for sale.

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My Comment: I love the views from his Penthouse condo, but it is his 43-acre Ojai ranch that is gorgeous.

Insane Mansion In The New Jersey Suburbs Sells For $20 Million

Courtesy of Sotheby's Realty

HOUSE OF THE DAY: Insane Mansion In The New Jersey Suburbs Sells For $20 Million -- Business Insider

A 34,000-square-foot mansion in Alpine, New Jersey, has sold for $20 million, according to Homes of the Rich. The home was initially listed for $34 million back in June 2011; even at a steep discount, it's one of the most expensive homes ever sold in the state.

The house features some insane amenities: There are two salt water pools—one in and one outside, a library, a bowling alley, an indoor full-length basketball court, theater, elevator, and wine cellar and grotto.

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My Comment: This mansion has everything.

The World's Coolest Tree Houses

New kind of luxury: Located about four hours northwest of Toronto, five-star resort E'terra Samara plans to soon offer these 12 eco-friendly tree house villas

Are These The World's Coolest Tree Houses? Stunning Hideaways In A Canadian Forest Where You Ccan Trade City Lights For Starry Nights -- Daily Mail

A five-star eco-friendly resort in Canada has unveiled their latest high-scale retreat that's suspended entirely in trees.

These 12 tree house villas hanging in the tranquil Bruce Peninsula forest, just northwest of Toronto, are the E’terra Samara resort's latest villas, matching luxurious comfort and futuristic style with the great outdoors.

Inviting guests to 'escape the city lights for starry nights,' each open-aired villa is uniquely positioned around its centre tree to take advantage of specific site features and lighting while mutually ensuring guest privacy.

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My Comment: This is certainly not the tree house that I envisioned when I was growing up.

Jean-Claude Van Damme Snaps Up $6Million Mansion In California

Through the key hole: Pictures of action star Jean-Claude Van Damme's $6 million Marina Del Rey mega mansion have been revealed

Jean-Claude Van Damme Snaps Up $6Million Mansion By The Sea In California -- Daily Mail

He purchased his luxurious mega mansion back in July for $6million, $150,000 over the $5.85 million asking price.

And now fans can take a tour through the slick seaside home of Jean-Claude Van Damme.

The 51-year-old action star's brand new contemporary home in the Silver Strand neighborhood is four stories and includes six bedrooms and eight bathrooms in it's 7,574 square feet, according to the reports.

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My Comment: For someone who has a reputation of working out at a gym all the time, I do not see one on the premises.

Barry Bonds Puts His Beverly Hills Mansion On The Market For $25Million

Barry Bonds bought the home for $8.7 million in 2002. Pictometry

Barry Bonds Lists Beverly Hills Home for $25 Million -- Wall Street Journal

Former Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds has put his home in Beverly Park—an exclusive gated enclave of Beverly Hills—on the market for $25 million.

The estate, according to a person familiar with the home, has seven bedrooms and 14 bathrooms. It also has a music room, theater, wine room, gym, spa and elevator, according to a recent advertisement. There’s also a guest house and a pool on the 1.85-acre property.

Mr. Bonds bought the home from Kenneth and Grace Jacobson for $8.7 million in 2002, according to public records. Back then, the house spanned about 11,500 square feet and had six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.

As part of a significant renovation, Mr. Bonds added a two-story wing to the home, expanding its square footage.

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Editor: More pics of his home can be seen here. And yes .... it is impressive.

Modern-Day Castles For Sale

Arkansas Dromborg Castle Castles In Need Of A Lord -- Time

With season two of PBS’s blockbuster “Downton Abbey” reaching its climactic conclusion Sunday night, we may have just the cure for your period-piece hangover.

You might not think it, but there are a number of majestic residences, much like Downton’s Highclere Castle, right here in the U.S. And many are actually for sale.

TopTenRealEstateDeals.com found five castles, built over the last 200 years for various reasons, that are all for sale.

Each has a history and beauty that are as intriguing as the estates themselves.

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My Comment: Some nice castles here.

Seal's New Home In Los Angeles

Green: The home is said to be partially solar powered and runs on green energy

Single Seal Moves On From Heidi Klum... With $6m Bachelor Pad In Los Angeles -- Daily Mail

Nearly a year after his surprising split from supermodel wife Heidi Klum, Seal has made an expensive move towards getting on with his life.

The Kiss from a Rose singer is reported to have just made an offer on a sprawling $6m house in the trendy Brentwood section of Los Angeles.

The 49-year old was seen visiting the home last week, for a third time. According to TMZ, the father-of-four put in a formal offer following his third visit.

The modern, three level house has four bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a media room, gym, and two kitchens.

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My Comment: This is definitely a modern bachelor pad.

What Does It Cost To Own A British Country Estate

What It Costs to Own Your Own Downton Abbey -- CNBC

You don't have to be the Earl of Grantham to own your own British country estate. But it helps to have a royal-sized fortune to burn.

With this week's premiere of the third season of "Downton Abbey," we decided to take a look at what it costs to buy, own and maintain a grand estate in the U.K. Rupert Sweeting, head of the Country Department of Knight Frank in London, said that the biggest costs of owning a country estate are the staff.

He said that for a "moderate-sized" 1,500 acre spread, you'll need a butler, cook, secretary, groundspeople and cleaning staff.

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My Comment: To put it bluntly .... you need a lot of money to run your own "Downtown Abbey".

Tiger Woods' Ex-Wife Elin Nordegren Flies The Swedish Flag At Her Beachfront Mansion In Palm Beach

New start: The former model was criticized for bulldozing the original property to make way for her own

Tiger Woods' Ex-Wife Elin Nordegren Flies Swedish Flag At Her Beachfront Mansion Built With $100 Million Divorce Settlement -- Daily Mail

* The 32-year-old former model is moving to North Palm Beach estate, Florida
* Received $100 million from cheating ex-husband who had multiple affairs

Tiger Woods' ex-wife is flying the flag for her native Sweden from the roof of her multi-million dollar mansion being built on the Florida beachfront.

Elin Nordegren, 32, has started her life over by spending a lot of time and money on creating her dream home, rebuilding a $12 million North Palm Beach estate.

Elin's five-year marriage to former No1 professional golfer Woods broke down in December 2009 after he admitted to a string of affairs and publicly humiliated the mother of his two children.

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My Coment: I love the personal touch with the Swedish flag.

Malibu Wants To Be The Mega-Mansion Capital Of The World

Malibu Makes Bid To Be World's Mega-Mansion Capital -- CNBC

Malibu has always been known for its hidden beaches and un-hidden wealth. The combination has now turned Malibu into one of the nation's capitals of hyper-priced real estate.

Malibu had the most $10 million listings in the 12 months ending in November, according to Coldwell Banker. With a huge boom in sales in the fourth quarter, fueled in part by the fiscal cliff, Malibu is in the running to have the highest sales total in the $10-million-plus category for all of 2012.

There were reportedly 11 sales of $10 million homes in Malibu last year, up from eight in 2011.

Read more .... My Comment: The money is definitely attracted to Malibu.

The Green Goblin's Luxurious Manhattan Penthouse Is Up For Sale

Luxurious: The triplex has a grand staircase, a wood-burning fireplace and one bedroom

What A Marvel! Luxurious Manhattan Penthouse Where Spider-Man's Nemesis The Green Goblin Lived Ggoes On Tthe Market For $1.6 Million -- Daily Mail

With gargoyles and dragons perching on its rooftop, it's easy to see why this Gothic penthouse appealed to Spider-Man's arch-nemesis, the Green Goblin.

And now brokers hope the stunning Manhattan apartment, which appeared in all three Spider-Man films, will also attract buyers happy to shell out $1.6 million for the stunning views.

The one-bedroom Tudor City penthouse, which has just gone on sale, offers breathtaking vistas of New York City, overlooking the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.

Read more ....

Editor: More info on this Manhatten Penthouse is here.

Former American Idol Judge Kara Dioguardi Sells Her Palatial LA Mansion

White palace: Kara Dioguardi sold her French chateau-style home in LA's Studio City area for $6.3 million on December 28

Former American Idol Judge Kara Dioguardi Sells Her Palatial LA Mansion -- Daily Mail

The lavish home is a feast for the eyes.

Leave it to Kara Dioguardi to still make a killing in this dismal real estate market, but that's exactly what this talented lady did.

The ex-American Idol judge sold her palatial French chateau-style mansion in the Studio City neighbourhood of Los Angeles for $6.3 million on December 28.

The 42-year-old award-winning songwriter bought the home in 2007 for $3.5 million, which means that she pocketed a nice $2.8 million profit.

The home boasts five bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms and is like a dream come true with its three acres of lushly landscaped pastoral grounds behind private gates and a 50-foot long infinity pool.

Kara completely restored the home with architectural elements from the original 1923 construction, adding many contemporary touches.

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My Comment: This is certainly a lvish home .... and it is not a surprise that it sold quickly.

The World's Mega-Rich Are Flocking To London To Buy A Home

The apartments at One Hyde Park have been mostly purchased by foreign-registered buyers, according to The Guardian. It said the prices ranged from 3 million to 136 million British pounds ($4.9 million to $221 million). istockphoto.com

London Real Estate, A Magnet For Mega-Rich From Around The Globe -- NPR

Looking for a London pied-a-terre? How about a four-bedroom duplex overlooking Hyde Park? It could be yours, if you're prepared to spend $25 million.

In most of the United Kingdom, property prices are slumping. But in some of London's most upscale neighborhoods, they're going crazy.

Robin Perona sweeps the sidewalk at Egerton Crescent, a gracious semicircle of white townhouses in fashionable Chelsea.

In the 1990s, they cost about $700,000 each. Today the average price is some $13 million — or 8 million British pounds. Perona shakes his head when told he's sweeping Britain's most expensive street.

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My Comment: $221 million for a condo at One Hyde Park .... that's nuts.

The First Glimpse Inside The $11 million Mediterranean Villa That Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Will Call Home

Italian villa: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have spent $11 million on this stunning villa in Bel Air as they prepare for their first child

Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous! The First Glimpse Inside The $11 Million Mediterranean Villa That Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Will Call Home (But They're Already Gutting It) -- Daily Mail

It may be a bit old fashioned for their modern tastes - but this is the first glimpse inside the $11 million mansion Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have just bought.

The stunning Mediterranean-style mansion in Bel Air boasts wrought-iron staircases, chandeliers and 'old world' fittings - so perhaps it will come as no surprise that the high-profile parents-to-be have already made plans to gut the property.

The luxurious home - which was on the market for $10,750,000, according to Trulia - sits in a private gated community in the exclusive California suburb, and is a whopping 10,000 square feet.

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My Comment: Impressive .... but they are gutting it. I suspect that the "new look" will be impressive.

Celebrities Are Flocking To New York's Luxury Walker Tower

Photo: Sky high: A rendering of the Walker Building reaches into the blue above 18th Street

No Nosy Neighbours Here! Celebrities Flock To Luxury New York Apartment Tower With 18 Inch Walls Aand Soundproof Floors -- Daily Mail

It is the building with walls so thick that Charlie Sheen could have a party - and nobody would know he was in. Celebrities including Cameron Diaz and Blake Lively are flocking to the Walker Tower in New York due to its 18 inch walls which give them the kind of privacy they could only dream of.

The floors are also so robust that they can bear 100lbs per square foot meaning the downstairs neighbours will never have a clue what you’re doing.

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My Comment: 18" walls .... yup .... you will have silence.

Biggest Celebrity Real Estate Deals Of 2012

Biggest Celebrity Real Estate Deals of 2012 -- Aol.com

While we commoners have been wondering all year where all this housing recovery business is coming from, it seems like it's been a housing boom for our celebrity counterparts over in La La Land and elsewhere. This year has seen A-listers flinging mansions on the market like they're having a yard sale, selling their palatial digs to fellow Hollywood royals and renting summer homes at exorbitant prices. Click through the gallery below to see some of the biggest celebrity real estate deals of 2012.

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My Comment: Elvis Presley's home is nice .... hell .... all the homes are nice in this gallery.

Sir Anthony Hopkins Wants To Buy His Childhood Home

Sir Anthony Hopkins shocked a young family by offering to buy their house because he was born there

'Sell Me Your House For £180,000': Family's Shock As Anthony Hopkins Turns Up At His Childhood Home In Port Talbot Tto Make Aan Offer -- Daily Mail

* Actor Sir Anthony Hopkins turned up unexpectedly at a small house in Port Talbot - his childhood home - and asked if he could look around
* The film star and his wife Stella hinted to bemused residents Chris Trainor and his partner Carly Culver that they might buy the property

Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins stunned the new owner of the small Welsh house where he grew up when he dropped in for a cup of tea – and asked if he could buy the property.

The star arrived at the semi-detached home in Port Talbot in a chauffeur-driven car with his wife and two bodyguards, and asked Chris Trainor and his partner Carly Culver if he could look around.

The bemused couple invited the actor and his group inside and he stayed for 30 minutes, posing for pictures before asking if the home was for sale and even offering £180,00 for it.

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My Comment: One's childhood home is always a castle in the eyes of a child .... and more so when one is an adult and the memories are good ones.

A Brooklyn Mega-Mansion On The Market For $10-Million

David Salle’s Brooklyn Mega-Mansion on the Market for $10-Million -- Artifino

Annie Liebovitz isn’t the only big-name contemporary artist looking to offload her New York City home: David Salle’s spectacular 10,564-square-foot mansion at the edge of Brooklyn’s historic Fort Greene neighborhood is on the market for a modest $10-million, and it comes complete with a full gym, two-car garage, a huge rooftop addition, and high-ceilinged living room that makes it, according to one over-the-moon real estate writer for the New York Daily News, the “top townhouse for sale in all of New York City.”

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My Comment: Nice .... but $10 million?

Glen Campbell Sells His Malibu Mansion

Selling up: Singer Glen Campbell has finally sold his Malibu mansion for $4.45 million

Moving On: Country Star Glen Campbell Sells His Malibu Mansion For $4.5 million After Farewell Tour Due To Alzheimer's Diagnosis -- Daily Mail

He said his goodbye to his fans during his farewell tour last year, and now it seems that country star Glen Campbell is also saying goodbye to his Malibu mansion.

The 76-year-old American star, who publicly admitted to suffering from Alzheimer's disease two years ago, has sold the LA home for $4.45 million, which is $1.5 million less than the original asking price.

The plush pad, which features four bedrooms and an outdoor swimming pool, was put on the market in 2011 and has finally sold, albeit for lower than expected.

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My Comment: It is a large and gorgeous home. What a shame to sell it.

iCarly Star Miranda Cosgrove, 19, Buys $2.65m Hollywood Hills Home

A second seat of learning: While she is studying for her degree she can also work on her housewife skills by cooking in her well-equipped kitchen

That's Some Starter Home! iCarly Star Miranda Cosgrove, 19, Buys $2.65m Hollywood Hills Home -- Daily Mail

She made a small fortune as the star of hit children's TV show iCarly.

And it seems teenager Miranda Cosgrove is wise beyond her years, as she has invested some of her fortune to buy a $2.65m home in the Hollywood Hills, according to Trulia Luxe Living.

The 19-year-old will certainly have plenty of room to hold pyjama parties in the three bedroom house, which has been recently renovated.

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My Comment: What shocks me is not the home .... but that she is 19. Hmmm .... I suspect that she paid cash.

Carrie Underwood Sells Her Tennessee Home

Home sweet home: Carrie Underwood originally bought her home in Tennessee in 2005

Moving On Up: Carrie Underwood Sells The Home She Bought To Celebrate Winning American Idol...But Fails Tto Make A Profit -- Daily Mail

She originally purchased the house to celebrate winning American Idol in 2005.

But as a sign that Carrie Underwood has well and truly moved on from her modest beginnings she has put the house on the market and it's been sold.

Unfortunately the country singer, who bought the three bed house in Tennessee for $384,000, made a slight loss as the crib sold for $372,500.

The 2,956 square-foot home in Franklin, features three-and-a-half bathrooms, as well as multiple living areas.

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My Comment: She's upgrading .... but it is definitely a cosy home.

Kelsey Grammer Puts His New Beverly Hills Mansion Back On The Market

Mediterranean style: The abode is done out in earthy tones

Now Kelsey Grammer Puts His New Beverly Hills Mansion Back On The Market After TV Show Is Axed -- Daily Mail

They moved into their new family home a mere eight months ago. But Kelsey Grammer has suffered a bit of bad luck since then. The former Frasier star has put his new Spanish-style estate back on the market following the cancellation of his show Boss. Grammer paid $6.5 million for the Spanish-style estate in April last year and has put it on the market for $7.25m.

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My Comment: The Spanish style is nice.

2012 Celebrity Real Estate Losers

2012 Celebrity Real Estate Losers -- Trulia Luxe Living

2012 brought us oodles and oodles of celebrity real estate news and tidbits. From salacious to snooze-worthy, if it was happening in celebrity real estate, you could read about it on Trulia Luxe Living.

This year in celebrity real estate wasn’t positive for everyone. Some stars were actually losing money on their big ticket real estate items. Let’s take a look at some of the losers:

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My Comment: Ouch .... I guess celebrity is sometimes overstated.

10 Priciest Properties To Hit The U.S. Market In 2012

The courtyard swimming pool at the $100M Casa Casuarina, the former home of late fashion designer Gianni Versace, which was initially listed for $125M in June.

The 10 Priciest Properties to Hit the Market in 2012 -- Curbed

For the world of ultra high-priced listings, 2012 was a stellar year, with three $95M New York apartments listed within a month of one another, three pocket-listed L.A.-area mansions whispering $150M price tags, and the return of Gianni Versace's epic Miami Beach pad. Find all of the year's most expensive listings on the map below.

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My Comment: What shocks me about these homes is not only their prices .... but people actually have the money to buy them.

Inside The Home Where The Obama Family Vacations In Hawaii

 

Inside Obama's Kailua Beach Vacation Homes -- US News And World Report

With the fiscal cliff averted at last on New Year's Day, President Barack Obama returned to his vacation spot on Kailua Beach in Oahu, Hawaii Wednesday morning for some much-needed R & R. Obama had previously cut the vacation short to deal with the fiscal crisis. Each U.S. president has found his own way to unwind from the stresses of leading the free world, including Harry Truman, who once called the White House the "crown jewel of the federal penal system" because he felt so confined there. Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush both escaped to ranches out west. But Obama prefers to spend the holidays at lavish rented estates in his former home state of Hawaii, where he plays golf, works out at the nearby Marine Corps base, and spends time with wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia on the beach.

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My Comment: Nice .... but I prefer the Big Island.

Roman Abramovich's Home In St. Barts

Exclusive: The gates of Roman's huge property on Governor Bay - the setting for his £3million New Year's Eve party

Land Ahoy! Pregnant Dasha Zhukova Aand Roman Abramovich Head For The St. Barts Mainland Before New Year's Bash -- Daily Mail

With just a day before a slew of celebrities from across the world descend on Roman Abramovich's Gouverneur Beach estate for New Year's Eve, the billionaire's beautiful girlfriend Dasha Zhukova enjoyed a peaceful afternoon with her family in the St Barts sun. The Russian socialite - who is pregnant with her second child - looked radiant in a folksy outfit. With her son Aaron by her side, she joined Roman on the Caribbean island for some peace and quiet before returning to her husband's super-yacht Eclipse.

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My Comment: More info on Roman Abramovich's home in St. Barts can be found here and here.

Oil Tycoon's Lavish Dallas Mansion Is For Sale

Breathtaking: The $25 million property also has a 16-car concourse classic auto facility

Oil Tycoon's Lavish Dallas Mansion That Comes With Swimming Pools, A 10,000-Bottle Wine Cellar And Its Own $1.5 Million Bowling Alley Goes On Sale For $25 Million -- Daily Mail

If you think you've gone a little overboard this Christmas, console yourself with the fact that the owners of this lavish mansion once shelled out nearly $1.5 million on a present. The family spent a staggering $1.45 million on a bowling alley from a Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, which famously sold expensive 'fantasy gifts'. But looking a little closer at this extravagant home in Dallas, Texas, it's clear that the owners were more focused on having fun than watching their bank accounts.

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My Comment: This mansion has everything.

The Five Largest Landowners In America

The Five Largest Landowners in America -- CNBC

Maybe 270,000 acres isn't what it used to be. Two billionaire brothers from Texas recently bought 177,000 acres of ranch land in Montana, bringing their total land holdings in the state to more than 276,000. The brothers, Farris and Dan Wilks, who made their money from selling Frac Tech (the oil business), now own 431 square miles in Montana.

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My Comment: Yup .... 270,000 acres isn't what it used to be.

$34 Million Mansion On San Francisco's 'Billionaire's Row' Is Finally Sold

HOUSE OF THE DAY: $34 Million Mansion On San Francisco's 'Billionaire's Row' Is Finally In Contract After 6 Years -- Business Insider

This beautiful Italian Renaissance-style mansion on San Francisco's Billionaire's Row is finally, finally in contract, according to Curbed. The home, which offers incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the entire bay from almost every room, has been on market since 2006. It was first listed for $55 million. There's no word yet on how much the home sold for or who bought it, but the house was priced chopped four times and was last listed for $34 million, according to Curbed.

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My Comment: 6 years is along time to sell a house.

Larry Hagman's California Estate Goes On The Market

You can see for miles! The sprawling property's best feature is the mind-blowing 360-degree view of the mountains and Pacific Ocean

Larry Hagman Wins Over Critics In His Final Dallas Episodes As The Late Star's California Estate Ggoes On The Market For $6.4M -- Daily Mail

He sadly passed away on November 23 from complications of throat cancer. But Larry Hagman's legacy is alive and well, with critics already hailing his final Dallas episodes just as his family put his estate in Ojai, California up for sale. The authentic Texan was in the middle of filming episode five of 15 in season two of the Dallas reboot when he died at the age of 81. However, according to a New York Post critic, there was no sign that Hagman was ailing as his performances were just as explosive and mean as ever in his signature role of ruthless oil baron J.R. Ewing.

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My Comment: The view is gorgeous, and I love his kitchen.